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MP Urges Government To Help With Soaring Energy Bills

Tuesday February 19 2013

MP John Healey is urging the government to do more to help people struggling with rocketing energy bills.

It comes after the MP released figures showing that just eight per cent of people in his constituency are getting help with making their homes warmer.

Between 2006 and 2010, the Warm Front scheme helped 630 households on average each year in the Wentworth and Dearne constituency. But last year, that dropped to 60 and so far this year (2012/13) just 52 homes have been insulated and given boiler upgrades.

In addition, in 2012/13 average spend in the area has been slashed to £1,369.10; it was more than £3,000 in 2010.

Mr Healey has accused the government of making it harder for people to bring down heating bills and called on the energy minister Greg Barker to do more.

In a letter, he said: “In the last year thousands of people have been turned down for help, and thousands more have been left waiting to know whether or not they will receive assistance.''